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STYLE AND CULTURE
LONG LIVE THE ADIDAS SHORT
By Flo Bellinger, 12 May 2025
The adidas 3-stripe has embedded itself in the modern wardrobe, from the iconic tracksuit to an ever-pervasive footwear line-up. But there’s one adidas clothing item set to dominate this year’s fashion menu – and that, my friends, is the short. Whether you enjoy a teeny tiny pair or you’re more of a jorts guy, the sporty cut-off is a wardrobe staple you can dress up or down with a few small shake-ups. We’ve even taken the liberty of curating five failsafe looks you can shop for yourself (don’t say we never treat you). Scroll for the scoop…
SMART CASUAL
SMART CASUAL
The first, and easiest, way to subvert a sporty short? Pair with a tailored shirt. This red and pale-blue combo brings the best of two clothing classics, and the colour palette is perfect for warmer months. Consider a French tuck on the shirt to keep things from looking too put-together, while a pair of classic trainers and socks balances things so you’re never over (or under) dressed.
GET THE LOOK:
French Connection long sleeve shirt in sky blue stripe, £38
adidas Originals trefoil three stripe swim shorts in red, £38
New Look 5 pack plain socks in white, £10
This one takes style notes from two off-duty kings – Paul Mescal and Harry Styles. You might not be inclined to go as a cropped with the shorts, but these guys have the casual caught-off-guard ‘fit down pat. Layering a clean hoodie with a bomber jacket creates a top-heavy silhouette that lets your shorts do the talking, while a trusty adidas trainer secures that throw-on-and-go feel you can lean on all summer.
GET THE LOOK:
adidas Originals adicolor polyester 3 stripe shorter shorts in navy, £40
ASOS DESIGN premium heavyweight oversized hoodie in navy, £32
adidas Originals Samba OG trainers in green and beige, £95
ASOS DESIGN oversized bomber jacket in khaki, £65
AN UNLIKELY PAIR
You’d be forgiven for thinking an adidas short was best served with a trainer. But we’re here to prove you wrong. Presenting our case for: the loafer and sporty short combo. This is a cool way to reinvent those gym shorts you’ve been hoarding at the back of your wardrobe and still simple enough to wear to a swathe of functions.
GET THE LOOK:
ASOS DESIGN essential crew neck t-shirt in white, £8
adidas Originals Adicolor sprinter shorts in green, £40
Dr Martens unisex Adrian bex loafers in black leather, £170
adidas Originals adicolor classics 3 stripe shorts in green, £45
SPORTING JORTS
You didn’t think we could talk about shorts without mentioning the infamous jort, did you? adidas played a major role in the rise of this controversial style during the blokecore craze of last summer, so it was only right they made an appearance here. In fact, true to the very essence of the jort itself, this Originals pair is cut in classic blue denim. They look great paired with a casual tee and sweater-vest combo, and a woven bucket hat makes everything feel summer-forward.
GET THE LOOK:
ASOS DESIGN knitted bucket hat in ecru, £12
adidas Originals Adicolor denim shorts in blue denim, £60
Mango v-neck sweater vest in dark brown, £49.99
adidas Originals Gazelle Indoor trainers in red, £95
VARSITY VINTAGE
Pictures: ASOS
If you’re looking to jump on the varsity trend this season, then adidas Originals is a foolproof start. These 80s-inspired shorts ooze vintage nostalgia, and pairing them with a lightweight knitted vest only amps things up. When building a throwback look, consider off-white shades and woven textures. We also love this ‘fit with a low-profile shoe like the Tokyo – the understated cherry on top (or bottom, as it were).
GET THE LOOK:
ASOS DESIGN retro frame square sunglasses with smoke lens in black, £12
adidas Originals Basketball Warp knit short in white, £40
